U.S. patent application number 16/479033 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for ventilation member and harness.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.. Invention is credited to Takao KUSHIMA, Hikaru OMAE, Tomohiro YABASHI.
Application Number | 20190329725 16/479033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62908364 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190329725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OMAE; Hikaru ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
VENTILATION MEMBER AND HARNESS
Abstract
A ventilation member 20 includes an attachment portion 21 that
can be attached to an electric wire insertion tube 11 having a
through hole 11a, and a connecting portion 22 that is connected to
the through hole 11a. The connecting portion 22 has a ventilation
portion 23 that allows air to pass therethrough and is unlikely to
allow water to pass therethrough.
Inventors: |
OMAE; Hikaru; (Yokkaichi,
JP) ; YABASHI; Tomohiro; (Yokkaichi, JP) ;
KUSHIMA; Takao; (Yokkaichi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. |
Yokkaichi-shi, Mie |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS,
LTD.
Yokkaichi-shi, Mie
JP
|
Family ID: |
62908364 |
Appl. No.: |
16/479033 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
January 12, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2018/000588 |
371 Date: |
July 18, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 16/0215 20130101;
H02G 3/03 20130101; H02G 3/0406 20130101; B60R 16/03 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 16/03 20060101
B60R016/03; H02G 3/04 20060101 H02G003/04; H02G 3/03 20060101
H02G003/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2017 |
JP |
2017-008599 |
Claims
1. A ventilation member comprising: an attachment that can be
attached to an electric wire insertion tube having a first through
hole; and a connection body that is arranged on the attachment and
is connected to the first through hole, wherein the connection body
has ventilation that allows air to pass therethrough and is
unlikely to allow water to pass therethrough, a first connection
that can be connected to a second through hole with a first
diameter, and a second connection that can be connected to a third
through hole with a second diameter that is smaller than the first
diameter, and the first connection and the second connection are
arranged along a projecting direction of the connection body.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The ventilation member according to claim 1, wherein the
connection body includes a first catch that projects from the first
connection and engages with an inner face of the electric wire
insertion tube having the second through hole with the first
diameter, and a second catch that projects from the second
connection and engages with an inner face of the electric wire
insertion tube having the third through hole with the second
diameter.
5. The ventilation member according to claim 1, further comprising:
a spacer that is arranged between the attachment and the electric
wire insertion tube having the third through hole with the second
diameter, wherein the spacer has a fitting hole into which the
first connection is fitted, and can be attached to the electric
wire insertion tube having the third through hole with the second
diameter.
6. A harness comprising: the ventilation member according to claim
1; an electric wire insertion tube including the ventilation; and
an electric wire that is inserted through the electric wire
insertion tube.
Description
[0001] This application is the U.S. National Phase of
PCT/JP2018/000588 filed Jan. 12, 2018, which claims priority to JP
2017-008599 filed Jan. 20, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation member that
can be attached to a protective tube, and a harness including the
ventilation member.
[0003] Electric wires are covered by protective tubes for the
purpose of protection from water intrusion, dust, or the like.
Since electric wires are arranged in various forms, protective
tubes are configured as members obtained by coupling a plurality of
types of tubes with different structures. For example, a protective
tube includes an external cover for protecting a middle portion of
an electric wire excluding end portions thereof, and a waterproof
cover made of rubber for protecting a portion between the external
cover and a connector. Such a protective tube seals a portion
between connectors at both ends of an electric wire, and thus the
internal pressure of the protective tube may increase due to a
change in atmospheric pressure or the like. In order to suppress an
increase in the internal pressure, a waterproof cover includes a
ventilation device. The ventilation device includes an ventilation
filter that is air permeable while having waterproof and dustproof
functions (see JP 2013-241143A).
SUMMARY
[0004] Incidentally, as described in JP 2013-241143A, a ventilation
device is conventionally arranged on a waterproof cover. Thus, a
ventilation portion of a protective tube is located only at a
portion around a connector. Since a harness is attached in various
forms, it is preferable that the arrangement of a ventilation
portion on a protective tube is less limited. Accordingly, there is
room for improvement in the structure of a ventilation portion on a
protective tube.
[0005] (1) A ventilation member according to an exemplary aspect
includes: an attachment that can be attached to an electric wire
insertion tube having a first through hole; and a connection body
that is arranged on the attachment and is connected to the first
through hole, wherein the connection body has a ventilation that
allows air to pass therethrough and is unlikely to allow water to
pass therethrough.
[0006] With this configuration, the ventilation can be attached to
the first through hole of the electric wire insertion tube. Thus,
the ventilation can be arranged at the portion of the protective
tube at which the first through hole is arranged. That is to say,
the ventilation can be arranged at portions other than a portion
around the connector.
[0007] (2) In the above-described ventilation member, the
connection body includes an insertion that is inserted through the
first through hole of the electric wire insertion tube, and a catch
that projects from the insertion and engages with an inner face of
the electric wire insertion tube.
[0008] With this configuration, the ventilation is unlikely to
separate from the electric wire insertion tube.
[0009] (3) In the above-described ventilation member, the
connection body includes a first connection that can be connected
to a second through hole with a first diameter, and a second
connection that can be connected to a third through hole with a
second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the
first connection and the second connection are arranged along a
projecting direction of the connection body.
[0010] With this configuration, the ventilation can be attached to
the electric wire insertion tube having the second through hole
with the first diameter, and to the electric wire insertion tube
having the third through hole with the second diameter.
[0011] (4) In the above-described ventilation member, the
connection body includes a first catch that projects from the first
connection and engages with an inner face of the electric wire
insertion tube having the second through hole with the first
diameter, and a second catch that projects from the second
connection and engages with an inner face of the electric wire
insertion tube having the third through hole with the second
diameter.
[0012] With this configuration, the ventilation member is unlikely
to separate from the electric wire insertion tube.
[0013] (5) In the above-described ventilation member, the
ventilation member further includes a spacer that is arranged
between the attachment and the electric wire insertion tube having
the third through hole with the second diameter, wherein the spacer
has a fitting hole into which the first connection is fitted, and
can be attached to the electric wire insertion tube having the
third through hole with the second diameter.
[0014] With this configuration, the ventilation member can be
attached to the electric wire insertion tube via the spacer.
Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the wobbling of the
ventilation member that occurs when the ventilation member is
attached to the electric wire insertion tube having the third
through hole with the second diameter.
[0015] (6) A harness that solves the above-described problems
includes: any one of the above-described ventilation member; an
electric wire insertion tube including the ventilation; and an
electric wire that is inserted through the electric wire insertion
tube.
[0016] With this configuration, air can be allowed to flow between
the inside and the outside of the electric wire insertion tube at
the portion of the harness to which the ventilation member is
attached.
[0017] With the ventilation member according to some modes of the
present disclosure, the degree of freedom in arranging the
ventilation in the harness can be increased. The harness according
to some modes of the present disclosure has a high degree of
freedom in arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a harness according to a first
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the harness near a ventilation
member.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of the harness near the ventilation
member.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the harness taken along
a line A-A in FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion near a
ventilation member of a harness according to a second
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion near a
ventilation member of a harness according to another
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion near a
ventilation member of a harness according to another
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0025] Hereinafter, a harness 1 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 4. The harness 1 electrically connects two or three or
more electrical devices. Examples of the electrical devices include
a vehicle drive motor, a motor of various types of electrical
equipment mounted on a vehicle, a power source device, and the
like.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the harness 1 includes one or a
plurality of electric wires 2 coated by resin, a connector 3 that
is connected to an end of the electric wires 2, and a protective
tube 10 that protects the electric wires 2. The casing of the
connector 3 is conductive. The protective tube 10 protects the
electric wires 2 from flying objects, water, and the like. For
example, if the electric wires 2 are mounted on vehicle without
protective tubes, flying rocks (flying objects) may hit the
electric wires 2 and damage the coating during driving. In order to
suppress such damage and the like to the electric wires 2, the
electric wires 2 are protected by the protective tube 10.
[0027] The protective tube 10 includes an electric wire insertion
tube 11 that covers the electric wires 2, a corrugated tube 12 that
is connected to the electric wire insertion tube 11, and a
waterproof cover 13 that connects the connector 3 attached to the
electric wires 2 and the corrugated tube 12. Note that the
waterproof cover 13 may be referred to as a grommet. The electric
wire insertion tube 11 has a rigidity that is unlikely to allow the
electric wire insertion tube 11 to be bowed. A cross-section of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 (a cross-section that is
perpendicular to an extending direction DY of the electric wire
insertion tube 11) has, for example, a circular outer shape.
[0028] The electric wire insertion tube 11 and the corrugated tube
12, the corrugated tube 12 and the waterproof cover 13, and the
waterproof cover 13 and the connector 3 are each fastened to each
other using a band or tape (not shown). The waterproof cover 13 is
made of, for example, rubber or elastomer. The corrugated tube 12
is made of a resin. The electric wire insertion tube 11 is made of,
for example, a metal or a resin. The electric wire insertion tube
11 includes a through hole 11a that is formed through a tube wall
constituting the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a ventilation member 20 is
attached to the electric wire insertion tube 11 of the protective
tube 10. The ventilation member 20 may be detachably attached to,
fixed with an adhesive to, or fixed with a band or tape to the
electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0030] The ventilation member 20 includes an attachment portion 21
(attachment) that can be attached to the electric wire insertion
tube 11, and a connecting portion 22 (connection body) that is
connected to the through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion
tube 11. The ventilation member 20 is made of, for example, rubber
or elastomer.
[0031] The attachment portion 21 is curved along the electric wire
insertion tube 11. Preferably, the attachment portion 21 covers
more than half of the electric wire insertion tube 11 in the
circumferential direction of the electric wire insertion tube
11.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 22 is arranged at
the center of the attachment portion 21. For example, the
connecting portion 22 is arranged on the attachment portion 21, at
about the center in the direction that is along the extending
direction DY of the electric wire insertion tube 11, and at about
the center in the direction that is orthogonal to the extending
direction DY of the electric wire insertion tube 11. The connecting
portion 22 projects from the inner face 21a of the attachment
portion 21 so as to be inserted through the through hole 11a of the
electric wire insertion tube 11. The connecting portion 22 has an
insertion portion 22a that is inserted through the through hole 11a
of the electric wire insertion tube 11, and catches 22d that
project from the insertion portion 22a. The insertion portion 22a
includes a fitting portion 22b that is fitted into the through hole
11a of the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0033] The connecting portion 22 has a ventilation portion 23 that
allows air to pass therethrough and is unlikely to allow water to
pass therethrough. The ventilation portion 23 includes a
communication hole 23a that is arranged at the insertion portion
22a and connects the inside and the outside of the electric wire
insertion tube 11, and a ventilation filter 24 that covers the
communication hole 23a. The communication hole 23a extends along a
projecting direction DX, which is the projecting direction of the
insertion portion 22a. The communication hole 23a has an air vent
23b that is arranged on the outer side of the electric wire
insertion tube 11. The ventilation filter 24 allows air to pass
therethrough, but does not allow water to pass therethrough.
[0034] The catches 22d of the connecting portion 22 engage with the
inner face 11i of the electric wire insertion tube 11. The catches
22d project from the outer circumferential face of the insertion
portion 22a. The catches 22d are arranged at least at two points,
and preferably at four points on the insertion portion 22a.
[0035] Hereinafter, the actions and effects of the ventilation
member 20 according to this embodiment will be described.
[0036] (1) The ventilation member 20 includes the attachment
portion 21, and the connecting portion 22 that is connected to the
through hole 11a. The connecting portion 22 has the ventilation
portion 23 that allows air to pass therethrough and is unlikely to
allow water to pass therethrough.
[0037] With this configuration, the ventilation member 20 can be
attached to the through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion
tube 11. Thus, the ventilation portion 23 can be arranged at the
portion of the protective tube 10 at which the through hole 11a is
arranged. That is to say, the ventilation portion 23 can be
arranged at portions other than a portion around the connector 3.
The portions at which the ventilation portion 23 can be arranged in
the electric wire insertion tube 11 are wider than those in the
connector 3, and thus the degree of freedom in arranging the
ventilation portion 23 increases.
[0038] (2) The connecting portion 22 has the insertion portion 22a
that is inserted through the through hole 11a of the electric wire
insertion tube 11, and the catches 22d that project from the
insertion portion 22a and engage with the inner face 11i of the
electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0039] With this configuration, the ventilation member 20 is
unlikely to separate from the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0040] (3) The harness 1 includes the ventilation member 20 with
the above-described configuration. Thus, air can be allowed to flow
between the inside and the outside of the electric wire insertion
tube 11 at the portion of the harness 1 to which the ventilation
member 20 is attached. Note that the position at which the through
hole 11a is formed in the electric wire insertion tube 11 can be
set as appropriate according to the arrangement of the ventilation
member 20.
Second Embodiment
[0041] Hereinafter, a harness 1x will be described with reference
to FIG. 5.
[0042] The harness 1x has a ventilation member 30 with the
following configuration. The ventilation member 30 can be attached
to two through holes with different diameters.
[0043] The ventilation member 30 includes an attachment portion 31
that can be attached to the electric wire insertion tube 11, and a
connecting portion 32, which will be described later. The
connecting portion 32 includes a ventilation portion 35 that is
similar to the ventilation portion 23 described in the first
embodiment.
[0044] The connecting portion 32 has a first connecting part 33
(first connection) that can be connected to the through hole 11a
with a first diameter, and a second connecting part 34 (second
connection) that can be connected to a through hole lib with a
second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter.
[0045] The first connecting part 33 and the second connecting part
34 are arranged in the order of the first connecting part 33 and
the second connecting part 34, from the attachment portion 31 side
along the projecting direction DX of the connecting portion 32.
[0046] The first connecting part 33 has a first fitting portion 33a
that is fitted into the through hole 11a with the first diameter,
and first catches 33b that engage with the inner face 11i of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 having the through hole 11a with
the first diameter. The second connecting part 34 has a second
fitting portion 34a that is fitted into the through hole lib with
the second diameter, and second catches 34b that engage with an
inner face 11j of the electric wire insertion tube 11x having the
through hole 11b with the second diameter.
[0047] In the projecting direction DX of the connecting portion 32,
the distance between the first catches 33b and the second catches
34b, that is, the thickness of the second fitting portion 34a is
preferably the same as the thickness of the tube wall of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 having the through hole 11a with
the first diameter. With this configuration, the tube wall of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 is arranged between the first
catches 33b and the second catches 34b, and the tube wall of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 is held between the first catches
33b and the second catches 34b, and thus the ventilation member 30
is stably attached.
[0048] The ventilation member 30 is directly attached to the
electric wire insertion tube 11 having the through hole 11a with
the first diameter.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the ventilation member 30 is attached
via a spacer 36 to the electric wire insertion tube 11x having the
through hole lib with the second diameter.
[0050] The spacer 36 has a fitting hole 37 into which the first
connecting part 33 is fitted. The spacer 36 can be attached to the
electric wire insertion tube 11x having the through hole 11b with
the second diameter. The spacer 36 is arranged between the
attachment portion 31 and the electric wire insertion tube 11x.
[0051] Hereinafter, the actions and effects of the ventilation
member 30 and the harness 1x according to this embodiment will be
described.
[0052] (1) The connecting portion 32 of the ventilation member 30
has the first connecting part 33 that can be connected to the
through hole 11a with the first diameter, and the second connecting
part 34 that can be connected to the through hole lib with the
second diameter. The first connecting part 33 and the second
connecting part 34 are arranged along the projecting direction DX
of the connecting portion 32. With this configuration, the
ventilation member 30 can be attached to the electric wire
insertion tube 11 having the through hole 11a with the first
diameter, and to the electric wire insertion tube 11x having the
through hole lib with the second diameter.
[0053] (2) It is preferable that the connecting portion 32 of the
ventilation member 30 includes the first catches 33b that are
arranged on the first connecting part 33, and the second catches
34b that are arranged on the second connecting part 34. With this
configuration, the ventilation member 30 is unlikely to separate
from the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0054] (3) It is preferable that the ventilation member 30 further
includes the spacer 36 with the above-described configuration.
Accordingly, the ventilation member 30 can be attached via the
spacer 36 to the electric wire insertion tube 11x. Thus, it is
possible to suppress the wobbling of the ventilation member 30 that
occurs when the ventilation member 30 is attached to the electric
wire insertion tube 11x.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0055] The ventilation member and the harness are not limited to
those in examples of the foregoing embodiments. Below, other
embodiments of the ventilation member will be described.
[0056] Hereinafter, a harness 1y will be described with reference
to FIG. 6.
[0057] The harness 1y has a ventilation member 40 with the
following configuration.
[0058] Although the ventilation portion 23 is arranged on the
connecting portion 22 in the first embodiment, in this embodiment,
a ventilation portion 46 is provided as a separate member on a
connecting portion 42.
[0059] For example, the connecting portion 42 is arranged at the
center of an attachment portion 41, and projects from an inner face
41a of the attachment portion 41 so as to be inserted through the
through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion tube 11. The
connecting portion 42 includes an insertion portion 42a that is
inserted through the through hole 11a, and a filter member 45
including the ventilation portion 46. The insertion portion 42a
includes a fitting portion 42b that is fitted into the through hole
11a. The insertion portion 42a includes a screw hole 42c into which
the filter member 45 is screwed. A screw 45a that engages with the
screw hole 42c is arranged on the outer circumference of the filter
member 45. The filter member 45 includes a communication hole 48
elongated in the axial direction, and a ventilation filter 47 is
arranged so as to cover the communication hole 48. With this
configuration, the filter member 45 can be replaced. Furthermore,
the filter member 45 can be in the shape of a tube with the long
elongated communication hole 48. One end of the tube-like filter
member 45 is connected to the screw hole 42c of the insertion
portion 42a. With this tube-like filter member 45, the air vent at
the other end (portion on the side opposite to the portion that is
connected to the insertion portion 42a) can be arranged away from
the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0060] Hereinafter, a harness 1z will be described with reference
to FIG. 7.
[0061] The harness 1z has a ventilation member 50 with the
following configuration.
[0062] Although the ventilation member 20 is made of rubber or
elastomer in the first embodiment, it also may be made of a resin
(hereinafter, also referred to simply as a "plastic resin") that is
less likely to be deformed than rubber or elastomer. In this
embodiment, an example of the ventilation member 50 made of a
plastic resin will be described.
[0063] The ventilation member 50 includes an attachment portion 51
that can be attached to the electric wire insertion tube 11, and a
connecting portion 52 that is connected to the through hole 11a of
the electric wire insertion tube 11. The ventilation member 50 is
made of a plastic resin. The connecting portion 52 is arranged at
the center of the attachment portion 51, and projects from an inner
face 51a of the attachment portion 51 so as to be inserted through
the through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion tube 11. The
connecting portion 52 has an insertion portion 52a that is inserted
through the through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion tube
11, and catches 52d that project from the insertion portion 52a.
The insertion portion 52a includes a ventilation portion 53 that is
similar to the ventilation portion 23 described in the first
embodiment.
[0064] The portion of the insertion portion 52a that is positioned
at the through hole 11a of the electric wire insertion tube 11 when
the ventilation member 50 is attached to the electric wire
insertion tube 11 (hereinafter, referred to as a "through hole
corresponding portion 52b") is smaller than the through hole 11a.
That is to say, when the ventilation member 50 is attached to the
electric wire insertion tube 11, there is a gap S between the
through hole corresponding portion 52b and the through hole 11a.
The gap S is a space through which the catches 52d are inserted. A
sealing member 52c (e.g., an elastic rubber member) for filling the
gap S is attached to the through hole corresponding portion
52b.
[0065] Furthermore, the catches 52d of the connecting portion 52
engage with the inner face 11i of the electric wire insertion tube
11. The catches 52d are arranged at the outer circumferential face
of the insertion portion 52a, and extend outward in the radial
direction of the insertion portion 52a, toward the outer side in
the projecting direction DX of the connecting portion 52. The
catches 52d come into contact with the through hole 11a and are
deformed so as to be closed when the connecting portion 52 is being
inserted through the through hole 11a of the electric wire
insertion tube 11, and open when the connecting portion 52 has
passed through the through hole 11a. The front ends of the catches
52d are in contact with the inner face 11i of the electric wire
insertion tube 11. Also with this ventilation member 50, the
effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be
achieved.
[0066] The ventilation members 20, 30, 40, and 50 of this
disclosure may be referred to as non-electric ventilators. The
communication holes 23a and 48 of the ventilation members function
as ventilation holes. There is no limitation on the ventilation
filter 24, but it may be a membrane filter.
[0067] In some examples, the attachment portion 21 and the
connecting portion 22 may be configured as a sealing main body
formed in one piece. For example, the ventilation member 20 of FIG.
4 includes a sealing main body that may be made of a synthetic
resin formed in one piece, and the ventilation filter 24 fixedly
connected to the sealing main body, and different portions of the
sealing main body are configured as the attachment portion 21 and
the connecting portion 22. The attachment portion 21 and the
connecting portion 22 are located away from each other along the
axial line of the communication hole 23a (the projecting direction
DX or the thickness direction of the electric wire insertion tube
11 in the drawing) so as to define the fitting portion 22b that may
be a groove between the attachment portion 21 and the connecting
portion 22. The attachment portion 21 may be referred to as an
outer lip or a seal lip that radially spreads apart along the axial
line of the communication hole 23a. The connecting portion 22 may
be referred to as an inner protrusion or a positioning protrusion
that prevents the ventilation member 20 from separating from the
electric wire insertion tube 11, by radially projecting along the
axial line of the communication hole 23a so as to elastically
engage with the inner face 11i of the electric wire insertion tube
11. The same applies to the attachment portions 31 and 51 and the
connecting portions 32 and 52 in FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0068] The filter member 45 in FIG. 6 may be referred to as a
filter support tube. Accordingly, the ventilation member 40 in FIG.
6 includes a single sealing main body that may be made of a
synthetic resin formed in one piece, a filter support tube 45 that
may be made of a synthetic resin formed in one piece and that is
detachably attached to the sealing main body, and the ventilation
filter 47 fixedly connected to the filter support tube 45. The
attachment portion 41 and the connecting portion 42 are located
away from each other along the axial line of the communication hole
48 (the projecting direction DX or the thickness direction of the
electric wire insertion tube 11 in the drawing) so as to define the
fitting portion 42b that may be a groove between the attachment
portion 41 and the connecting portion 42. The attachment portion 24
may be referred to as an outer sealing lip or the outer side of the
sealing main body that radially spreads apart along the axial line
of the communication hole 48. The connecting portion 42 may be
referred to as an inner protrusion or a positioning protrusion that
prevents the ventilation member 40 from separating from the
electric wire insertion tube 11, by radially projecting along the
axial line of the communication hole 48 so as to elastically engage
with the inner face 11i of the electric wire insertion tube 11.
[0069] The present disclosure encompasses the following
implementation examples. The reference numerals of the constituent
elements of the embodiments are indicated not for limitation but
for facilitating the understanding.
[0070] [Note 1]
[0071] In some implementation examples, a ventilation member (20;
30; 40; 50) is used together with an electric wire protective tube
(11) including a tube wall that defines a hollow space for
protecting at least one electric wire (2) and a through hole (11a)
that is formed through the tube wall. The ventilation member (20;
30; 40; 50) is a non-electric ventilator configured to be attached
to the through hole (11a) of the electric wire protective tube
(11).
[0072] [Note 2]
[0073] In some implementation examples, the ventilation member (20;
30; 50) includes a sealing main body (21, 22; 31, 32; 51, 52)
configured to be attached to the through hole (11a) of the electric
wire protective tube (11) from the outside of the electric wire
protective tube (11) and including a ventilation hole (23a), and
ventilation filter (24) fixedly connected to the sealing main body
across the ventilation hole (23a).
[0074] [Note 3]
[0075] In some implementation examples, the ventilation member (40)
includes a sealing main body (41, 42) configured to be attached to
the through hole (11a) of the electric wire protective tube (11)
from the outside of the electric wire protective tube (11), a
filter support tube (45) detachably attached to the sealing main
body and including a ventilation hole (48), and a ventilation
filter (47) fixedly connected to the filter support tube (45)
across the ventilation hole (48).
[0076] [Note 4]
[0077] In some implementation examples, the sealing main body is
made of a synthetic resin formed in one piece.
[0078] [Note 5]
[0079] In some implementation examples, the sealing main body
includes an outer lip (21; 31; 41; 51) and an inner protrusion (22;
32; 42; 52) that are located away from each other along an axial
line of the ventilation hole (23a; 48) so as to define a groove
(22b; 42b) between the outer lip and the inner protrusion, and,
when the ventilation member (20; 30; 40; 50) is attached to the
through hole (11a) of the electric wire protective tube (11), the
groove (22b; 42b) is in close contact with a hole face of the
through hole (11a) of the electric wire protective tube (11), the
outer lip (21; 31; 41; 51) is arranged on an outer side of the
electric wire protective tube (11), and the inner protrusion (22;
32; 42; 52) elastically engages with an inner face (11i) of the
electric wire protective tube (11).
[0080] [Note 6]
[0081] In some implementation examples, the outer lip (21; 31; 41;
51) and the inner protrusion (22; 32; 42; 52) are configured in
cooperation with each other to elastically sandwich the electric
wire protective tube (11) in a thickness direction (DX) of the
electric wire protective tube (11).
[0082] [Note 7]
[0083] In some implementation examples, the ventilation member (30)
further includes a spacer ring (36) arranged coaxially with the
through hole (11a) of the electric wire protective tube (11),
between the outer lip (31) and an outer face of the electric wire
protective tube (11).
[0084] [Note 8]
[0085] In some implementation examples, the ventilation member (20;
30; 40; 50) is configured as a wire harness ventilator that forms a
wire harness (1) in cooperation with at least one electric wire
(2), the electric wire protective tube (11) for protecting the at
least one electric wire (2), and an electrical connector (3)
connected to an end of the at least one electric wire (2).
[0086] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
present disclosure may be embodied in other specific modes without
departing from the technical idea thereof. For example, some of
constituent elements described in the embodiment (or one or a
plurality modes thereof) may be omitted or combined.
* * * * *